The Siren of the Titanic

Chapter 7: Past and Present

Talon and I made our way to a large dining area that had been carved to look like a chapel. The ceiling was vaulted and looked as if long beams ribbed the large white stone. A large wooden table sat in the center, carvings and names had been dug into the surface. Most of the wooden surface looked old and battered, yet a glossy blue surface filled in where holes and splintered ends were. The chairs were also made of wood and had been carved like trees, branches splayed over the back and curved to create armrests.

I must have said something because Talon quickly explained to me that the table was made of old ships and blue resin. Sitting in the seat next to the head of the table was Siamak, eating what looked like bits of crab, his movements slow and graceful. Talon motioned to sit in the seats in front of his brother, and plates of food were placed in front of us a few minutes later.

"I have spoken with Master Adhira, your training begins tomorrow, Frost." Sai whispered.

"Adhira? What are you thinking? Adhira's a lightning user, not ice." The First Prince scolded.

"She may use lightning but she's a good teacher, she taught you didn't she?"

"Yeah, that's true, but,"

"But what, Talon? She has taught many other elements," Sai interrupted. "Besides there are no other ice users in the Atlantic, most are found within the Antarctic ocean. Frost here is the only one." Sai had kept his voice low and smooth throughout the whole conversation. He took another bite of his crab, which had been served within a type of broth. The whole meal had been magicked to keep it as if it was on land. Parts that were dry stayed dry, and the liquid parts stayed together. It was a strange experience taking a sip of the crab soup and have it act if we were on land.

"Before you ask, many call me the brains and Tal here the brawn. When he becomes king, I will act as an advisor." Sai smiled sweetly. He gave off an aura of innocence but seemed like the type to whack you for being stupid, like a teacher in a Catholic school. "What's a 'catholic school'?"

I whipped my head at him. "Can you read minds?"

"Yes I can, did I not mention this earlier. I'm sorry if I frightened you. All Foresighters have telepathy."

"Oh, I-I see." I sighed. "To answer your question Catholic is a type of religion, so a Catholic school is taught by priests or nuns within the religion. They teach what's in a normal school, math, language, and whatnot. However, they teach science based on the 'creation theory' which says that God created the world in seven days. I never went to one but, I know friends who did, all saying that if they did something wrong, they would get hit in the knuckles and other weird punishments." I scratched the back of my head, it felt weird talking about my past.

"I see, what a strange religion. We merfolk believe in multiple gods, each serving as a different duty within the world. Our High King is said to be the son of the Water Goddess, whether that is true or not is only known by him."

"So, you should tell us about your past. Where did you live and that type of thing? I mean you don't have to, but I'd like to learn more about my Partner." Talon's green eye shone brightly from the lights of the room, the other closed in a wink.

By this time our food had been devoured. "Well," I started, wiping my mouth out of habit. "I was born in a city outside of London in the year 1888. My family wasn't rich but we had decent money, and I was able to go to school. I did well in my classes, but I was known for being a runner. I was allowed into the track and field as a sprinter, but I also did the 800-meter races, both of which I would usually come in first or second. Through my good grades and my running, I was allowed into a college in Cambridge, where I studied to become a Theologist, someone who studies religion. I also met Emma there.

"She and I dated for about three years before I proposed to her in 1911. A few months later, however, I got her pregnant, which in my day was a HUGE no-no. So we planned to leave the country, and after much planning, we decided we would get tickets onto the RMS Titanic. The ship was magnificent, grand ballrooms, parties, and food. We were considered 2nd class, so we didn't have the luxuries of someone in 1st class, but we were comfortable. However, the ship ran into a glacier," I paused letting it sink in. "well it destroyed the side of the ship. As you can imagine it began to sink, I was able to get Emma onto a lifeboat but I stayed behind." My voice grew quieter into almost a whisper. "I, um, died then. That's really about sums me up."

Talon's warm hand landed on my back, rubbing small soothing circles into my skin. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." His usually happy face was contorted with worry and apology.

"It's fine. My human self is dead, there's no getting around that. I've been dead for almost 95 years, and if sirens like me are born from the wishes of the dead then my past lover is dead. I just have to get over that fact. I wonder what she did with my child, though. I don't even know if it was a girl or a boy."

"I can help with that!" Sai states matter-of-factly, reaching his hands across the table, clutching my own. His chin lowers in thought and hums to himself. After a minute or two, he releases my hands with a smile. "It was a son. She named him Nathaniel James, after you. He is married and now has three children of his own, the youngest being in her early twenties and the oldest in his early thirties. He used to be in the military but lost a leg in the war. Anything else you'd like to know?" He cocked his head, a smile on his face in self-congratulation.

"No that's alright," I said quickly. 'I have grandkids, huh.' Icy tears filled my eyes, a few dropping onto the table before I realized that I was crying. Tal's hands were on my shoulders, massaging them, calming me. I startled him by laughing. "I feel so old now. I have grandkids older than me." I laughed even harder, especially when Talon snorted before joining me. Even Sai chuckled quietly. So the three of us laughed alone in the dining room.